The Hilarious World of Depression (Hardcover)

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May 2020 Indie Next List

“This book made me laugh and cry immediately after I started reading. John Moe took a hard topic and made it so much easier — taking the world of mental health and illness and making it easy to understand and connect with. It’s a great read, and everyone should have the pleasure of reading it.”
— Kaylyn Schafer, Wordsmith Bookshoppe, Galesburg, IL

Description

"[A] path to deeper understanding and openness, by way of laughter in the dark" —The New York Times Book Review

"...Filled with heart, humor and hope." —People

One of Todays's Ten Best Inspirational Books, 2020 | One of Huff Post's 10 Most Anticipated Book Releases Of May 2020

"A funny, honest book about depression, and what you can do despite it." —Neil Gaiman

"Candid and funny and intimate." —Susan Orlean

For years John Moe, critically-acclaimed public radio personality and host of The Hilarious World of Depression podcast, struggled with depression; it plagued his family and claimed the life of his brother in 2007. As Moe came to terms with his own illness, he began to see similar patterns of behavior and coping mechanisms surfacing in conversations with others, including high-profile comedians who’d struggled with the disease. Moe saw that there was tremendous comfort and community in open dialogue about these shared experiences and that humor had a unique power. Thus was born the podcast The Hilarious World of Depression.

Inspired by the immediate success of the podcast, Moe has written a remarkable investigation of the disease, part memoir of his own journey, part treasure trove of laugh-out-loud stories and insights drawn from years of interviews with some of the most brilliant minds facing similar challenges. Throughout the course of this powerful narrative, depression’s universal themes come to light, among them, struggles with identity, lack of understanding of the symptoms, the challenges of work-life, self-medicating, the fallout of the disease in the lives of our loved ones, the tragedy of suicide, and the hereditary aspects of the disease.

The Hilarious World of Depression illuminates depression in an entirely fresh and inspiring way.

About the Author

John Moe has served as host of national public radio broadcasts such as Weekend America, Marketplace Tech Report and, from 2010- 2015, Wits. His reporting has been heard on All Things Considered, Morning Edition, Marketplace, Day to Day, and more. His writing appears in humor anthologies, The New York Times Magazine, McSweeney’s, and The Seattle Times. He’s a much in-demand public speaker and the author of multiple books, including The Hilarious World of Depression.

Praise For…

"If David Sedaris wrote a book about depression, this would be his take." —Lee Woodruff author of In an Instant

"This book is an excellent life raft for those of us who are so sure that we are alone in our struggles. You should read it." —Jenny Lawson

"John Moe's book is the feel-bad hit of the summer!" —Colson Whitehead, author of The Underground Railroad

"Moe takes the stigma out of discussing mental illness and offers camaraderie to those who suffer from depression... [His] words should supply help, hope, and humor to many readers. " —Library Journal

"A funny, honest book about depression, and what you can do despite it. John Moe is actually a very funny man, and this is a very serious book that also manages to be funny about things we are not supposed to laugh at. " —Neil Gaiman

"Moe’s edifying, enjoyable take on the realities of living with depression will uplift any reader." —Publisher's Weekly (starred review)

"Moe is exactly the right person to give an attentive, irreverent voice to those suffering with depression." —Susan Maguire, Booklist

"You wouldn't expect a book that details depression to be laugh-out-loud funny, but this one is." —Today

"Is it appropriate to say that I loved a book about depression? Well, if it's as candid and funny and intimate as this one, 'love' seems right. Moe's book is also deeply moving and, against all odds, life-affirming. It's an ode to the blues that makes you feel better about being human." —Susan Orlean

"This book is an excellent life raft for those of us who are so sure that we are alone in our struggles. You should read it. More than once I woke my husband up shouting, "Oh my God, THIS. IT IS EXACTLY* THIS" while reading this book. He was concerned but no more than usual." — Jenny Lawson

"[This book] takes a deep dive into his painful past and blends it with wisdom...The result is part memoir, part self-help..." —MinnPost

"A laughably relatable (and at times bittersweet) read for those who have experienced depression and an enlightening one for those who haven’t but want to understand it better... Uplifting." —Mandatory.com